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A Bible Study of Revelations Chapter 20 New Creations: New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem NT:622 apollumi (ap-ol'-loo-mee); from NT:575 and the base of NT:3639; to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively: KJV - destroy, die, lose, mar, perish. There is no implication, being instead a warning that the old order of heaven and earth are literally or figuratively destroyed, however in figurative language found in related verses noted as destroyed, pass away, end, and no longer found therefore made or created new. In contextual description throughout the Bible then leaving no doubt but as destroyed beyond the earth we are now familiar. NT:236 allasso (al-las'-so); from NT:243; to make different: KJV - change. The implication being that a garment when worn out is replaced, meaning the old heavens and earth become in such a state (destroyed) they need to be replaced with new heavens and earth. NT:5356 fqora/phthora (fthor-ah'); from NT:5351; decay, i.e. ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literally or figuratively): KJV - corruption, destroy, perish. Clearly describing literally and figuritively a garment (heaven and earth) worn out and so replaced. NT:2618 katakaio (kat-ak-ah'-ee-o); from NT:2596 and NT:2545; to burn down (to the ground), i.e. consume wholly: KJV - burn (up, utterly). The implication is that in the 'consuming fire' which is God, both the old heavens and earth will be destroyed/perish in desolation so severe as not seen since creation, and never to be seen again. The desolations described throughout scripture becoming ever more severe until described as destroyed. The ultimate end as described earlier was fleeing at the arrival of the Messiah, and then found nowhere or non-existent. NT:2537 kainos (kahee-nos'); of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; while NT:3501 is properly so with respect to age: KJV - new. The implication perhaps not as evident, however indicating a new earth is to replace the old, the evident need for replacement having been made apparent in other related scripture regarding the elements melting, the earth laid bare and destroyed, eventually being no longer found. The new earth promise is described as the place of righteousness. NT:3756 ou (oo); also (before a vowel) ouk (ook); and (before an aspirate) ouch (ookh); a primary word; the absolute negative [compare NT:3361] adverb; no or not: KJV - + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, [can-] not, + nothing, + special, un ([-worthy]), when, + without, + yet but. See also NT:3364, NT:3372. Rev 20:11 'not found' (for heaven and earth) NT:2147 heurisko (hyoo-ris'-ko); a prolonged form of a primary heuro (hyoo'-ro); which (together with another cognate form heureo (hyoo-reh'-o)) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect; to find (literally or figuratively): KJV - find, get, obtain, perceive, see. The implication here is that at the return of Christ, the earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was (no place) for them, from declaration that follows indicating they no longer exist. This is immediately followed with judgment, and immediately after judgment in [Rev-21] is described the (new) heavens and (new) earth. Revelations 3:12 'new' (Jerusalem) NT:2537 kainos (kahee-nos'); of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; while NT:3501 is properly so with respect to age: KJV - new. The same word is used in describing both the new earth and the new Jerusalem, there is little doubt the old or natural (earth and Jerusalem) are replaced with new, the New Jerusalem is (not) of this earth, but prophesied to come down (out of heaven) with the bride. Here in Rev-21 the Lord said "I am making everything new." A river of living water flows from the throne out of Jerusalem into this new world; along the banks are trees reminiscent of Eden. Here we also need remember Pauls prophetic words about his present day Jerusalem in Heb 13:13-14 "Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come." NT:565 aperchomai (ap-erkh'-om-ahee); from NT:575 and NT:2064; to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or figuratively: KJV - come, depart, go (aside, away, back, out, ... ways), pass away, be past. This word perhaps describes best the action of 'passing away', leaving little doubt that literally and figuratively this old earth will perish, be destroyed, or at the least no longer exists, remembering also the new Jerusalem will come down out of heaven. NT:2537 kainos (kahee-nos'); of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; while NT:3501 is properly so with respect to age: KJV - new. NT:3928 parerchomai (par-er'-khom-ahee); from NT:3844 and NT:2064; to come near or aside, i.e. to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (caus.) avert: KJV - come (forth), go, pass (away, by, over), past, transgress. The Implication that the generation then living to whom Christ is speaking would not end (be destroyed before), nor will ever the words of Christ be ended (destroyed), but that both heaven and earth will pass away (end in destruction). NT:3928 parerchomai (par-er'-khom-ahee); from NT:3844 and NT:2064; to come near or aside, i.e. to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (caus.) avert: KJV - come (forth), go, pass (away, by, over), past, transgress. Christ is telling those next to him they would not 'pass away' meaning they would not be destroyed. The meaning is certainly they would die (flesh body), however their soul would be present after the heavens and earth would pass away (be destroyed). Also saying his words would never pass away (never destroyed). Isaiah 65:17 'new' (earth) OT:2319 chadash (khaw-dawsh'); from OT:2318; new: KJV - fresh, new thing. Behold I will create a new heavens and new earth. The former things will not be remembered. From the Hebrew we have the new earth described without doubt, new means new. OT:1254 bara' (baw-raw'); a primitive root; (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes): -choose, create (creator), cut down, dispatch, do, make (fat). I will create Jerusalem is also announced, Revelations tells us that the New Jerusalem is now in heaven, but will come down (be revealed) with the bride, the implication being this New Jerusalem is now found in the new heavens and earth. The above speaks of Genesis 8:22 "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." The Day of the Lord is explained clearly in Isaiah 24:20 "The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls — never to rise again." This does not describe earth enduring forever, but like an equation in which day and night never ceasing being an integer part, we are assured of a new promise given as an entirely new equation within which night will be no longer exist and light of sun, moon, or lamp is no longer needed. This is the new promise of God provided as Christ decreed to make all things new. Where that destroyed and ruined is rebuilt anew, as what is planted will grow anew, and of this Paradise told of that we cannot even imagine... but promised will never again be destroyed. |